Makers / Elmer Crowell / Plover

Elmer Crowell Black Bellied Plover

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1915

Elmer Crowell – Black-Bellied Plover – 2023
$6,600
Brought, including buyer's premium
Estimate $3,000–$5,000over estimate
Sold Feb 2023at Copley, February 2023

See this lot at Copley →

SpeciesPloverSize9.25"PaintOriginal

The catalog record

A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) East Harwich, MA, c. 1915 9 1/4 in. long

An early split-tail gunning decoy of this popular species. Original paint with even wear, a few rubs to bare wood along one side and top of head, slight chip on the bottom edge of the wing tip, knot in the breast, bill is a professional replacement by Gigi Hopkins.

Provenance: Peter Brams Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts

Literature: Stephen B. O'Brien Jr. and Chelsie W. Olney, "Elmer Crowell: Father of American Bird Carving," Hingham, MA, 2019, pp. 218-219, related plover illustrated.

Provenance

Peter Brams Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts

Comparable sales

The 5 most recent Elmer Crowell Plovers to cross the block.

SoldConditionPaintBrought
Jul 2026Mint—$36,000
Jul 2026ExcellentOriginal$32,400
Jul 2026ExcellentOriginal$25,200
Jul 2026—Original$22,800
Jul 2026—Original$21,000

Same maker and species, most recent first. Prices include the buyer's premium. All Elmer Crowell sales